Acrylic Q's

piscesblue

Member
Just got a used 75gal reef ready acrylic tank used for an unbelievable price. As with anything, there is a catch. It has a blue background glued internally with rubber glue (i think I heard him say that) and the guy buffed the tank to sparkling new condition with Turtlewax. Now, I'm pretty sure he did the inside too to remove scratches fro previous inhabitants. This tank was a reef, then a bearded dragon habitat, then a winter retreat for some Koi. This guy seemed to do things the natural way and I know he knew what he was doing, but I'm a bit concerned now. He has moved to DC and I have no way to ask these questions of him now. I'm an experienced reefer and want to set it up as a reef tank, but I've seen first hand what can happen with a polluted tank.
Here are my questions:
How do I clean the external and internal of the tank?
How do I remove algae from the acrylic once it is up and running?
Do acrylic tanks soak up chemicals/copper etc... like glass/silicone tanks?
Can you throw some Turtlewax in your established system and report to me the effects on your inhabitants? :scared:
Please help, I'm only familiar with glass tanks and this one is such a beauty!
 

bigtang803

Member
I would not put turtle wax inside of my tank while it is full. They make a magnet just for the acryllic tank. that will clean it. also, they make plastic razor blades to clean them. just don't clean it with metal. and if you get sand on your magnet, clean it off before you try to clean the tank.. It will scratch it all to hell. Good luck
 

whitey_028

Member
If it is used take it to get polished by a professional as you will have algea growing in unvisible scratches in acrylic and will annoy you after the algea grows in scratch and magnet wont get it out...
 

piscesblue

Member
Thanks, I wasn't going to put Turtlewax in my tank, I am just under the suspicion that he used it on the inside of the tank while cleaning it up for sale. I must admit, the stuff really shines the tank up on the outside, but if it left a residue on the inside, I need to know how to get rid of it. I'll look around for polishers to see if they can clean the tank up.
 
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